Sterling's Crossing

Sterling's Crossing is in the Mary Valley just outside Imbil on the way to Borumba Dam, and is a great spot to go birding.
Click on photos to enlarge.
 

 Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus)

Not long after the turnoff, flocks of Dusky Woodswallow were flying over the paddocks and perching on fences. Some landed in a tree and stayed long enough for photos.

 Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)

 

This beautiful Eastern Spinebill was taking nectar from Salvia growing beside the road. I have been trying to get photos of  this species for some time, and was lucky enough to have this one in the right place at the right time, just as we were heading back to the car to go home.

 Lewin's Honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii)

While we were boiling the billy for lunch, this Lewin's Honeyeater decided it was time for lunch as well. 

 Variegated Fairy-wren (Malurus lamberti) (Male)

Then the Variegated Fairy-wren family decided to check us out. Good place to have lunch when all the birds came to us.

 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidus)

Just a short walk from where we had lunch, we came across this Shining Bronze-Cuckoo.

 New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)

New Holland Honeyeater were all around the area, and this one was gathering dead flower petals for nesting material from the Wild Tobacco.

The Lewin's Honeyeater liked the Wild Tobacco as well.

For more birds visit Wild Bird Wednesday.

Birds of Patchwork Cottage

Last time we went to Patchwork Cottage it was Winter, with 61 species recorded. This time it was Summer, and we managed to record 61 species again with 17 new species to add to the list, giving a combined total of 79 species over the two seasons, including one earlier record. Spring is yet to come!

Variegated Fairy-wren (Malurus lamberti) (M)

Leaden Flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula) (F)

While I was trying to track down a Wonga Pigeon I heard a Wompoo calling, and after a little while managed to find him. As we walked back along the road, a Wonga flew up and into the trees before I could take a photo. Maybe I will have better luck next time.

Wompoo Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus magnificus)

Buckinghamia celsissima

Common Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica)

As the name implies, this plant is sensitive to touch and closes its leaves when disturbed. Is is an exotic species introduced from Central & South America.

Variegated Fairy-wren & Rufous Whistler.

After our latest wader count we took a friend out to Inskip Point to look for the Kelp Gull which we did not find, but there were quite a few bush birds to be seen along the track. As I was walking first I came upon this beautiful male Variegated Fairy-wren which posed very conveniently for a photo. While admiring it I thought what a good photo it would make, forgetting that I had my camera in its bag over my shoulder as I had been carrying a telescope and tripod most of the day in place of this. When the others caught up to me they said "did you get a photo"?

Variegated Fairy-wren (male) (Malurus lamberti)

Luckily it stayed around long enough for me to get my camera out of its bag.

Rufous Whistler (male) (Pachycephala rufiventris)

At the end of the track we came across this male Rufous Whistler, catching only a rear view. Among others seen were Rainbow Bee-eaters, Varied Triller and Collared Kingfisher.